Springing for railway trucks



Oct. 28, 1941. 1'

Filed June 12, 1940 W! TNESSES: N-

V f Mi i W2 l. M. CHAMBERS SPRING-ING FOR RAILWAY TRUCKS FIG; Z

3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR: Baas M dhambers;

A TTORNEYS.

Oct. 28, 1941.

I. M. CHAMBERS SPRINGING FOR RAILWAY TRUCKS Filed June 12, 1940 3Sheets-Sheet 2 42 Fla 3. l8 .S z0

: I E I i 31.

f ii-g. LIJL E I 4? 1 -35 32 33 21 35 AIM P INVENTOR:

' M Baas M immbam;

ATTORNEYS.

Oct. .28, 1941. I. M. CHAMBERS SPRINGiNG FOR RAILWAY TRUCKS 5Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 12, 1940 FG 6 33 3% I??? "Fl INVENTOR:

W1 TNESSES;

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m m 0 W trated. Accordingly,

Patented Oct. 28, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE sramomo FOR RAILWAYmuons Isaac M. Chambers, Narberth, Pa. Application June12, 1940, SerialNo. 340,021

Claims.

This invention relates to railway trucks and the like, and especially tospringing suitable for bolster type'trucks. An important aim of theinvention is to provide a wider range of elasticity without necessityfor making trucks larger than usual. The invention permits of a soft,yielding spring action for light loads, combined with a stiffer actionfor-heavy loads. In suitable forms of embodiment, the invention allowsof easy adjustment or replacement to take care of wear, and

tion will appear from the following description of species or forms ofembodiment, and from the drawings. All the features and combinationsillustrated or described are of my invention, so far as novel.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a plan view of one side of a railway truckconveniently embodying the invention, including the corresponding sideframe and bolster end, certain parts being partly broken away or insection; Fig, 2 is a side view .of the truck, certain parts being partlybroken away; Fig. 3 shows a transverse section through the truck, takenas indicated by the line and arrows HIIII in Fig. 1, on a larger scale;Fig. 4 shows a transverse section taken as indicated by the line andarrows IV-IV in Fig. 2, one of the parts shown in Fig. 2 being omitted;and Fig. 5 shows a section taken as indicated by the line and arrows V-Vin Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side view of a truck similar to that shown inFig. 2, illustrating a modification; and Fig. 7 is a correspondingfragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 3.

The drawings show only one side of the truck, since the other side maybe just like that illusthere is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 a side frame Ill,resembling those of present standard freight car trucks in generaldesign and construction, with one end of a transverse bolster II thatcarriesthe load of the car body,

as usual. Besides the usualaxle-box jaws or housings lt-with openingsIS, the side frame H! has the window opening I! in the upper part ofwhich the end of the guided for up and down movement relative to theframe. As shown in Fig. 1, the bolster end has vertical stop flanges I6,l6 which engage and coact with the usual guideways l1, H at oppositesides of the window opening M, to determine the longitudinal position ofthe bolster II in the window l4, and to keep the side frame l0 trulyupright. Above and below the window M are the usual top and bottom sideframe members l8, l9.

Two types of springing are here shown, which in practice are preferablyused in conjunction with one another: viz., a torsional type of spring20, and a cushion type of spring 2|. Each cushion spring 2I ispreferably arranged under the bolster II, and (especially in the absenceof a spring plank, which is not here shown) in the window 14, on thebottom member IQ of the side frame. The torsion spring 20, however, neednot be limited in size, capacity, and range of deflection by therestricted dimensions of the window space; Such torsion springs 20 maybe arranged lengthwise of the truck, alongside the side frameslll,preferab1y at the outer side of the latter, as illustrated in Figs.1 and 2. With this arrangement, the whole length of the side frame IIIis available to accommodate and mount the springs 20, which may thus bemade of ample strength and elasticity.

As shown in Fig. 1, the spring 20 consists of a long torsion memberhaving its ends anchored to the ends of the side frame l0 outside of orbeyond the axle-box housings l2, l2, as by engagement in bracket-hubs 23which are shown asintegrally attached to the ends of the side frame III,while the mid-portion of the member 20 is connected to the end of thebolster II at, in, or through the window ll. For this purpose, thereisshown in Figs. 2 and 3 a crank-arm 25 whose hub 26 surrounds and isanti-turningly connected or engaged with the mid-portion of the torsionmember 20, and whose free end 21 engages under or in the end of thebolster ll. Thus the two ends of the torsion member 20 are oppositelytwisted under the load of the bolster. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2,diametral pins 28 normally ex-.- tend across the otherwise open outerends ofthe bracket hubs 23, to prevent endwise displacement of thetorsion member 20, but may be removed to permit withdrawal of the member20 from the bracket and crank hubs 23, 26, 23. As shown in Figs. 1," 2,and 3, the torsion member 20 is of rectangular section, and the openingsbolster H is engaged and 5 for it in the hubs 23, 26, 23 arecorrespondingly shaped, to give effective anti-turning engagement orkeying of the member in these hubs.

Thus no special work on the torsion member 20 is required to provide forits anti-turning engagement or anchorage in the parts 23, 26, 23. Whilepreferably in a single length from one anchorage 23 to the other, asshown in Fig. 1, the torsion bar 20 may if desired be made in two 3sections abutting endwise in the-middle of the crank hub 26, asindicated in Fig. 2.

Preferably, the torsion member 20 is of laminated construction, (ratherthan a mere onepiece bar), consisting of a bundle or pile of superposedspring strips 29, Figs.

elastic qualities. Also, the laminated bar will twist more under a giventorque and bolster load than would a single solid bar of the samecrosssection.

Bearing maybe provided on the side frame ID for sustaining themid-portion of the torsion 30, 30. In the present instance, theanti-turning or torque-transmitting connection of the member 26 to thecrank 25, is made directly to the crank-hub 26,-the trunnions 3|, 3|being of larger internal bore than the greatest cross-dimension of themember 20, so that the crank trunnions 3|, 3| do not transmit the torqueat all, but merely serve to sustain the middle of the member 20. Asshown in Figs. 2, 3,- and bearing blocks 32, 32 with substantiallysemicircular bearing surfaces for the trunnions 3|,

3|, and the trunnions 3|, 3| have corresponding removable semi-circularwear plates 33, 33. The brackets 30, 36 are shown provided with seatsfor the trunnion bearings 32, 32 which are open transversely of thetrlmnion axes, in an upward direction, so that the bearings can beremoved from said seats by a corresponding movement. As shown in Fig. 3,the crank-arm 25 has a recess 34 provided with a renewable wear-block 35at its bottom, cylindrically concaved about an axis fore and aft of thetruck, and the end of the bolster II has a corresponding flat-surfacedrenewable wear block 36. Housed and hed in the crank-end recess 34 is aroller 31 (with axis fore and aft of the truck), interposed between thewear-blocks 35, 36.

1, 3, 4 and 5. This laminated construction of the torsion member 20 hasthe advantage that the strips 29 are relatively thin and can be betterheat-treatedthan a solid bar could be, so as to have superior 400mounted on them between the supporting brackets 30, 30 and theend-anchorage hubs 23, 23. As shown in Fig. 5, the clips 400 consist ofintegral rectangular metal straps or boxes pro- 4, the supportingbrackets 30, 30 have removable Connecting the supporting brackets 30, 30

there is a fore-and-aft web 36 of L-shaped crosssection, and, at theouter ends of the brackets 30, 30 are transverse webs 39, 39, Fig. 4,with round holes 46, 40 therein for the torsion member 20. A removablesheet metal cover 4| coacts with the parts 30, 38, 39to form ahousingfor enclosing the crank 25 with its trunnions 3|, 3| and vided withelastic (rubber) pads 42!], metal backing plates 430, and shake-proofset-screws 44 taking through the clips and bearing against the plates430', so as to clamp the spring strips 29 tightly together.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the cushion spring 2| is of highly elasticmaterial, preferably suitably vulcanized rubber, and consists of amassive molded rubber block or buffer resting on the lower side framemember |9 that forms the bottom of-the window opening I 4. Sheet metalshims or spacers 45 are interposed between the rubber cushion 2| and theside frame member |9 for a purpose to be explained hereinafter. Therubber cushion or spring 2| is preferably held in place by a surroundingmetal frame or housing 46 bolted to the member l9 around the base 0f thespring block 2|, through the spacers 45. The base of the rubber cushion2| has a shouldered flange 41 that engages in a correspondinglyshouldered rabbet of the housing 46. Above the base of the cushion 2|,the wall of the housing 46.diverges from the cushion 2|, thus affordingsome clearance for outward expansion of the rubber. As here shown, thisdivergence results partly from an inward concavity of the cushion sides,and partly from an outward flare of the housing wall on a curvaturewhich increases upward and merges at the top of the housing into arounded lip 48.

The diverging housing 46 around the cushion 2| allows latezaf outwardexpansion of the cushion when it mpresses vertically under the load ofthe bols er I yet also limits and controls the lateral expansion and theflow of the compressed rubber. To allow some lateral expansion of therubber in the base of the cushion 2|, notwithstanding the normally closeengagement of the housing 46 around it, the cushion block is shown withanarrow but deep longitudinal cavity 49 extending upward into it fromits bottom surface. As shown, the top or loading surface of the rubbercushion 2| is cylindrically rounded (about an axis fore and aft of thetruck), so that its rate of deflection under the bolster load diminishesprogressively until it becomes engaged with the bolster over its ownfull width. This and the control of the cushion expansion by the flaredhousing 46 give a gradual build-up in the load capacity of the cushion:i. e., a diminishing rate of deflection relative to load. Even undersudden heavy overload, the cushion 2| will not go As shown in Figs. 2and 3, there is an interval-'- 71 between the top loading surface of thecushion spring 2| and the coacting bottom surface their bearings 32, 32,and protecting them from I dust and dirt. As shown in Figs. 2 an 3, theupper and lower edges of the-cover 4| are secured to the web 33 and tothe side-frame top member l6 by screws 42. Sheet metal or leather covers43, 43 fitted to the torsion member 20 cover the,

holes 43, 40 to exclude dust and dirt from the bearings at 32, 32.

= As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the spring strips 2 are held togethersecurely by clips or clamps of the bolster end so that the spring 2|does not come into action until the torsion spring 20 has deflected moreor less. This interval 71. can be varied and regulated by increasing orreducing the number and thickness of the spacers 45; and thus the springaction can be made easier or stiffer, as desired. It can also be varied,of course, by changing the torsion spring 26, or by changing thehardness or the shape of the rubber spring 2|. The actionof both thesprings 20 and 2| is naturally very quiet, and the rubber spring 2| hasa large ability to absorb vibration and shock, and to minimize theirtransmission to the lading of a car equipped with such spring- Figs. 6and '7 illustrate a construction like that of Figs. 1-5 in which aspring cushion 2 la whose elastic rubber is in shear replaces thecushion 2| of Figs. 1-3, which is in compression. This cushion 2 lacomprises a series or pack of upright elastic rubber cushion strips 52extending lengthwise of the truck in the window opening I4 of the sideframe l0, alternating with relatively thin upright metal abutmentstrips. As shown, there are metal strips 53 at the outer sides and inthe midst of the pack, resting on the bottom frame member I90, andbetween adjacent strips 53 there are other metal strips 54 whose upperedges are arranged to engage the bottom of the bolster II, and may bethickened or headed as shown to prevent them from slipping down-' wardbetween the rubber strips 52. ,Also, the faces of the rubber strips maybe cemented or vulcanized to the abutting surfaces of the metal strips53, 54. When the cushion 2la is unstressed, as shown, the lower edges ofthe strips 54 are spaced a suitable height above the bottom of thebolster window, to allow adequate deflection of the cushion 2ta underthe bolster load. Preferably the edges of the rubber. strips 52 arereduced or bevelled toward the metal strips 54, as shown. The cushion2la is preferably enclosed and held upright in a metal housing 46abetween whose sides it fits snugly (but not tightly), and spacing shims45 are shown interposed between the housing 46a and the cushion 2la andthe bottom side-frame member l9a. When the descending bolster ll engagesand depresses the metal parts 54, 54, the rubber strips 52 undergo asort of shearingand bending deformation, accompanied by compressionbetween the sides of the housing 45a, which resist expansion of thecushion 2la as the latter is deformed under the bolster load. Thus thecushion 2| a powerfully resists'defiection and deformation.

Various parts and features shown in Figs. 6 and '7 are marked with thesame reference characters as the corresponding parts in Figs. 1-3, (withaddition of a letter where such distinction appears necessary) as ameans of dispensing with repetitive description.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a truck of the character described, the combination with a sideframe having provision for mounting the truck axles and wheels, and alsohaving a window opening, and a load-sustaining bolster movable up anddown relative to said side frame in said window opening, of alongitudinal elastic torsion member extending lengthwise of the truckand anchored to said side frame against turning; means for connectingsaid torsion member to the bolster at a substantial distance from theanchorage of said torsion member to the side frame, and thus elasticallytransmitting the load on the bolster to the side frame through saidtorsion member; and a spring cushion in the window opening of said sideframe under the bolster, for engaging the bolster and coacting with saidtorsion member in elastically transmitting the load on the bolster tothe side frame.

2. In a truck of the character described, the combination with a sideframe having provision for mounting the truck axles and wheels, and alsohaving a window opening, and a load-sustaining bolster movable up anddown relative to said side frame in said window opening, of alongitudinal elastic torsion member extending lengthwise of the truckand anchored to said side frame against turning; means for connectingsaid torsion member to the bolster at a substantial distance from theanchorage of said torsion member to the side frame, and thus elasticallytransmitting the load on the bolster to the side frame through saidtorsion member; and an elastic rubber cushion in the window opening ofsaid side frame under the bolster for sustaining the latter and coactingwith said torsion member in elastically transmitting the load on thebolster to the side frame.

3. In a truck of the character described, the combination with a sideframe having provision for mounting the truck axles and wheels,'and alsohaving a window opening, and a load-sustaining bolster movable up anddown relative to said side frame in said window opening, of alongitudinal elastic torsion member extending lengthwise of the truckand anchored to said side frame against turning; means for connectingsaid torsion member to the bolster at a substantial distance from theanchorage of said torsion member to the side frame, and thus elasticallytransmitting the load on the bolster to the side frame through saidtorsion member; an elastic rubber cushion in the window opening of saidside frame under the bolster for sustaining the latter and coacting withsaid torsion member in elastically transmitting the load on the bolsterto the side frame; and a housing around said rubber cushion affordingclearance for limited lateral expansion of the latter concurrently withits yielding under the load on the bolster, but thereafter confiningsaid cushibn and thus controlling its further expansion and yielding.

4. In a truck of the character described, the combination with a sideframe having provision for mounting the truck axles and wheels, and alsohaving a window opening, and a load-sustaining bolster movable up anddown relative to said side frame in said window opening, of alongitudinal elastic torsion member extending lengthwise of the truckand anchored to said side frame against turning; means for connectingsaid torsion member to the bolster at a substantial distance from theanchorage of said torsion member to the side frame, and thus elasticallytransmitting the load on the bolster to the side frame through anelastic rubber cushion in the window opening of said side frame underthe bolster for sustaining the latter and coacting with said torsionmember in elastically transmitting the load on the bolster to the sideframe; and a housing engaged around the base of said rubber cushion tohold it in place, while thereabove diverging around the cushion, whenthe latter is unstressed, to permit lateral expansion of the cushionwhen it yields under the bolster, but under heavier bolster loadsconfining the cushion and thus controlling its expansion and yielding.

5. In a truck of the character described, the combination with a sideframe having provision for mounting the truck axles and wheels, and alsohaving a window opening, and a load-sus-. taining bolster movable up anddown relative to said side frame in said window opening, of alongitudinal elastic laminated torsion member, consisting of a bundle ofsuperposed spring strips, extending lengthwise of the truck and anchoredto said side frame against turning; means for connecting said torsionmember to the bolster said torsion member;

stress due to increasing load on 1 ber inelastically transmitting theload on the bolster t the side frame.

6. In a truck of the characted described, the combination with a sideframe having provision comprising a housing for said crank, trunnions,and bearings including a cover removably mounted on said side frame.

9. In a truck of the characterdescribed, the combination with a sideframe having provision for mounting the truck axles and wheels, and alsohaving a window opening, and a load-sustaining bolster movable up anddown relative to said side for mounting the truck axles and wheels, and1 also provided at its cuterside with lateral bearing and anchoragebrackets at a substantial distance apart, and a load-sustaining bolsterasso- 1 ciated with said side frame and movable up and down relativethereto; 01 a longitudinal elastic laminated torsion member consistingof a bundle of superposed spring strips extending along the outside ofsaid side frame in its said bearing and anchorage brackets, and anchoredby the latter against turning, and a crank attached to said torsionmember extending inward therefrom in- 1 to position for engaging thebolster; and anchorage means for said torsion member attached to theside frame at a substantial distance from said crank,'whereby the loadon the bolster is elastically transmitted to the side frame through saidtorsion member.

7. In a truck of the character described, the

1 combination with a side frame having provision for mounting the truckaxles and wheels, and also having a window opening, and aload-sustaining bolster movable up and down relative to said side framein said window opening, of a crank having trunnions, and itselfextending into said window opening to engage the bolster to sustain athe same; a longitudinal elastic torsion member extending along theoutsideof said side frame r through said crank and its trunnions, andantiturningly engaged in said crank; supporting brackets for said cranktrunnions on the outer side of said side frame, at either side of itssaid window opening, having bearing seats that open transversely of thetrunnion axes, and bearings for said trunnions seated in said bearingseats, and removable therefrom by a corresponding movement and anchoragemeans for said torsion member attached to the side frame at asubstantial distance from said crank, whereby the load on the bolster iselastically transmitted to the side frame through said torsion member.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 7 further torsion member; and anelastic cushion in the' window opening of said side frame under thebolster, for sustaining the latter and coacting with said torsion memberin elastically transmitting the load on the bolster to the side frame,

comprising a pack of rubber cushion strips and interposed abutments,part of said abutments resting on the bottom of the bolster window,while the rest of them are spaced therefrom and arranged to engage thebolster.

10. In a truck of the character described, the

combination with a side frame having provision for mounting the truckaxles and wheels, and also having a window opening, and aload-sustaining bolster movable up and'down relative to said side framein said window opening, of a longitudinal elastictorsion memberextending lengthwise of the truck and anchored to said side frameagainst turning; means for connecting said torsion member to the bolsterat a substantial distance from the anchorage of said torsion member tothe side frame, and thus elastically transmitting the load on thebolster to the side frame through said torsion member; an elasticcushion in the window opening of said side frame under the bolster, forsustaining the latter and coacting with said torsion member inelastically transmitting the load on the bolster to the side frame,comprising a pack of rubber cushion strips and interposed abutments,part of said pansion of said elastic cushion strips as the bolster loaddeforms the cushion. 1

ISAAC M. CHAMBERS.

